HOULTON, Maine — A Houlton couple was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine Friday afternoon after an investigation of their home
Bryan Clark, 25, and Ashley Eastham, 22, both of Houlton were charged with Class B trafficking in Schedule W drugs, according to Maine State Police.
Clark was also charged with unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, refusing to submit to arrest and sale and use of drug paraphernalia by Houlton Police.
Officer Ben Drew of the Houlton Police Department was in the area of Hillview Avenue on Thursday evening due to an unrelated drug investigation that had taken place on Reservoir Hill, according to Lt. Dan Pelletier of the Houlton Police Department. Officer Drew arrested Clark at 12:01 a.m. Friday morning.
Houlton police evacuated the occupants of the home and secured the building while a search warrant was obtained.
Once that warrant was obtained, the MDEA’s lab response team arrived on Friday around noon. In addition to the MDEA team, Houlton Police and Fire departments were on scene, as the components of making this drug are highly explosive. The team members entering the house wore protective suits and breathing equipment.
MDEA agents found and seized several pieces of evidence consistent with meth-manufacturing operations, the agency reported.
Officials with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services were notified because three young children were living in the house at the time the suspected meth lab was discovered.
Houlton Police, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies assisted the MDEA. This is the 19th time MDEA has responded to a meth lab this year. Last year, there were 20 cases, which is the high mark for the state.
